08/09/2025
🧠 Exercise and Mental Focus
• Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which improves alertness and concentration.
• Aerobic exercise (like walking, jogging, cycling) is linked to better executive function (planning, attention, decision-making).
• Regular exercise supports the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus, a region important for memory and learning.
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😊 Exercise and Stress / “Dispersion” of Mood
• Exercise reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
• It boosts endorphins and dopamine, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals.
• Even short bursts (10–15 minutes) of activity can improve mood and reduce feelings of being scattered or anxious.
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🔬 Research Evidence
• A 2019 review in Frontiers in Psychology found that acute bouts of exercise (even just 20 minutes of walking) improve attention and working memory in children and adults.
• Harvard Medical School reports that regular exercise is as effective as antidepressants for some people with mild to moderate depression.
• Studies also show exercise improves sleep quality, which in turn reduces daytime distraction and mood swings.